Umahi threatens to stop monarchs’ salaries

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has threatened to stop the salaries of any traditional ruler who fails to furnish the government with the location and records of mining sites in the state.

The governor spoke at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki, at the handing over of staff of offices to some monarchs.

Umahi, who lamented that miners do not pay their aces and levies to the government, stressed that his administration would not allow the future of Ebonyi children to be sacrificed on the platform of greed and selfishness.

He warned that his administration would sanction any monarch and union leaders who allow robbery and kidnap to prevail in their communities.

He said: “Let me start by congratulating the traditional rulers that just received their staff of office. I have been receiving text messages against the three traditional rulers, but I must discharge my constitutional right, if you don’t like it you can go to court and seek redress.

“Any community where kidnapping or robbery is recorded, the monarchs and the community union leaders will be queried.”